Thursday, April 14, 2011

L is for Loop



My Theme for the A to Z Challenge: Desert Canyon Living 


The Tehachapi mountains form a barrier between the San Joaquin Valley, one of the major produce growing areas in the United States, and the Mojave Desert to points south and west. From the San Joaquin valley to the Tehachapi Pass, the mountains rise to 4,000 feet over 46 miles . When the Southern Pacific Railroad was built through the valley it was thought it could go no further when it reached the foot of the mountains in 1875. The engineers in charge must have considered it an impossible task to continue the railroad up the steep mountain grade. 
  
Legend has it, that chief engineer, William Hood, observed how donkeys and mules traversed the mountain in circles and got the idea for what has now become the famous Tehachapi Loop. What he actually did, he surveyed the mountain from the top rather than from the bottom. After studying the layout of the land, another version of the legend has it that one morning he staked out the two huge circles, measuring over 3,700 feet, that would become the Tehachapi Loop. In addition, 18 tunnels were built into the mountain. The railroad was built by Chinese workers; about 3,000 came from Canton, China, and many stayed in the area after the work was completed. 


Today, this is the busiest single-track mountain railway in the world. 

Considered one of the seven wonders of the railway world, the Loop is also one of the most popular trainspotting sites. Fans come from all over to view and photograph trains going through the Loop. What they are most interested in is seeing a very long train go in through the tunnel at the bottom of the Loop, come out the other side, and then circle the actual Loop, and finally crossing over its own last cars as they move into the tunnel below. I have seen this and it is something to behold. I have no photos to post though. Fortunately, we have Google and a plethora of websites covering this subject, here are two links: 


 http://digital-desert.com/tehachapi-loop/   




A note on my Knoll post: Clint in Dallas, Texas, in a comment on yesterday's post, reminded me about the terrible connection between a grassy knoll and the assassination of President Kennedy there.  Something was in the back of my mind about a knoll, but I couldn't remember, and that was it. Clint, I know we all cringe when we hear those words. 


Finally, I got really sick yesterday and I spent the day in bed. So we have to go to town today. I don't want to miss anything from any of your blogs, but it is getting pretty huge by now with the A to Z Challenge.  So I will catch up as best I can later and I will of course visit the blogs of any new followers. I feel better today, sometimes a good rest will help. Have a great day, everyone.

24 comments:

  1. oh, hope you feel better, dearie. that train loop sounds really interesting! like a snake curling around itself!

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  2. it's amazing to think anything was built correctly in those days when you consider how far mechanical engineering has advanced. this is practically a work of art. i can see why people would come to view it.

    glad to hear you're feeling better. take care of yourself, inger!

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  3. Thank you guys, I feel much better. And the Loop is an amazing feat of those days.

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  4. Fascinating, Inger. I had not heard of this loop before.

    Glad you're feeling better! Take care.

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  5. Your "L" was perfect! Sounds like an amazing engineering triumph!

    Glad you are feeling better!

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  6. As Clint said, I have never heard of the Loop before--I am going to Google it. Like All your followers, I am SO GLAD you're feeling better!!

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  7. Cool Inger, I haven't heard of it either.
    Glad you're feeling better.

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  8. Thanks for the interesting post, Inger. I imagine that is something to see!

    Hope you are well and having a good day today. :)

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  9. Informative and entertaining-well done. I'd love to see one of those long trains crossing over itself-very cool.

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  10. Facinating entry Inger ~ and most interesting ~ Ally x

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  11. How interesting about the train and the Loop. I didn't know any of that. Take care of yourself.

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  12. I just watch a YouTube video of the Loop--saw a train crossing over itself. Fascinating! Loved your blog--missed your photos!!

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  13. Thanks for the link, Inger. I've seen this train on TV and would love to see it in real time. I can only imagine how exciting it must be.

    Hope you're feeling better! Take care of yourself, Inger.

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  14. I have learned so much from you Inger as I have never been to California let alone even close to any "Wonder of the World." I truly apprecaite you taking the time to share this. Please feel better...blogs can wait...you are more important!...:)JP

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  15. Amazing about the Loop! All new to me too! Thanks Inger and remember to look after yourself first.

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  16. Here we go with the parallel lives thing again! I spent the day in bed, which I never ever do, and am feeling ok now.

    The loop is amazing! I checked out the links, and if I ever get to that area of the country, that's a must-see.

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  17. Inger,
    I certainly hope you are feeling better...take good care of yourself and keep a low profile!
    thinking of you!

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  18. Thanks for the links. That is amazing and would be worth the visit.
    So glad you are feeling better. Do take care.

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  19. I hope your feeling better....I'm really enjoying your A-Z posts...

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  20. Very interesting... I hope you're feeling better today!

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  21. Take it easy! Take care of yourself.
    The loop is fascinating. I have to drag my hubby to the computer to show him. I don't think he is aware of this engineering marvel - just as I wasn't. The pictures you sent us to are super!

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  22. Thanks for all your comments. I'm so glad I could let you know about this amazing engineering feat, not too far from Los Angeles, should you come that way. If not, there is always YouTube as my friend Fran mentioned above. I am feeling much better, it's amazing what a day in bed can do. I have to remember that.

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  23. I hope that you are feeling better. I could not check a lot of posts lately. I am just surprised that I am writing even. The tragedy that took place by the Hudson river has made us all very sad in Orange County NY. We will all be feeling down for a while now.
    This is such a nice post. Thank you for sharing. Truely nature is beautiful, but the human mind is no less amazing. those links tell us that even back over a hundred years ago, engineers did amazing work.

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  24. Inger, take care of yourself. I hope you are feeling better soon.

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Thanks for leaving a comment.. ~~ Inger

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